An O'Fallon woman is accused of negligently handling knives and injuring a houseguest.
Chad J. Richter filed a lawsuit on May 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Rachel Lea Brown, alleging negligence and battery.
According to the filing, the plaintiff was lawfully on the defendant’s premises on or about May 11, 2014, when the defendant allegedly used one or more knives in such a manner that she should have known or anticipated that the plaintiff would be likely to intervene.
The suit states that Richter did attempt to assist or rescue Brown. The plaintiff also claims Brown owed him a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances and breached that duty. Richter asserts that the defendant negligently and carelessly handled the knives unsafely, failing to control the knives, keep vigilant and avoid coming into physical contact with the plaintiff during the incident.
Richter claims to have sustained a severe eye injury resulting in lost or diminished sight in his left eye, disability and disfigurement, pain, suffering and discomfort, loss of normal life, wages and earning capacity, emotional distress and mental anguish.
The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs. He is represented by Mark Schuver of Mathis, Marifian & Richter in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-269
House guest alleges hostess handled knives hazardously
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